Margaret Mae Jordan

February 19, 1919 - February 12, 2009

Margaret Mae Jordan, daughter of Fred Maddux and Alice Nystrom Maddux, was born February 19, 1919 in Mora, Minnesota and died at her home in Jefferson, Iowa, on February 12, 2009 at the age of 89 years, 11 months and 23 days. Her family was anticipating celebrating her 90th birthday in a week. Margaret moved with her family to Crosby, Minnesota where her father worked in the iron ore mines. When she was in the third grade, her family moved to Cooper, Iowa. The family moved several more times throughout her school years and she graduated from Bayard High School in 1937. Margaret and her friend Wilma Ford went to work in a private home in Maryland where they lived in a mansion. With D.C. just a mile from their residence, they enjoyed their time there. Margaret came back to Iowa and helped her parents move to Grand Junction. While there, she came to Jefferson to work in a private home. A dear friend told her to apply and she was one of four girls chosen to be Greene County's first nurses aides. Three of them went on to nurses training. In 1944 Margaret graduated as a Registered Nurse in Elgin, Illinois. Her class were all cadet nurses. On December 29, 194?, Margaret married Irvin Leroy Jordan at her parents' home in Crosby, Minnesota. For a few years they farmed with Irvin's father, and Margaret worked as an R.N. Their children Ronald, Dennis, and Judy were all born in Greene County. Irvin and Margaret farmed the same farm land for 34 years. Margaret enjoyed nature, especially humming birds, large gardens, sharing with her neighbors, and traveling. Her family remembers fondly her large strawberry beds. She was a 4-H leader for 5 years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson. Margaret took much joy in remembering relatives and friends by sending cards for all occasions, especially Christmas cards. Margaret loved to bake bread and rolls for her family and friends. With all of her other interests being important, none was as great as her love for her family. After Irvin's death August 28, 1980, she moved to town and lived in what was then called the Emerald Knoll apartments. Margaret's granddaughter Shani Sue died in 1983 and her son died January 4, 1986. Margaret is survive by her son Dennis Jordan (Mary) of Jefferson, IA; daughter Judy Burnell (Rich) of Paton, IA ; 5 grandchildren: Troy Jordan and friend Nellie of Gowrie, IA; Tony Jordan (Tonya) of Williston, N.D.; Christie Daugherty (Randy) of Paton, IA; Tina Durst (Todd) of Ankeny, IA; and Kevin Blackford of Des Moines, IA; 16 great-grandchildren: Kyleigh, Ramsey, Jordan, Amber, Patrick, Richard, Christopher, Joshua, Jeremiah, Alexis, Falon, Star, Robin, Amber, Caleb, and Felicity. She is also survived by 4 great-great grandchildren: Simon, Riley, Hali, and Dominic; brother Kenneth Maddux of Ironton, MN ; sister Elaine Gordon of Crosby, MN; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.